As the next phase of American Idol auditions draws near -- specifically, the part we see on television where pop star hopefuls perform for a panel of celebrity judges -- some behind-the-scenes drama is brewing among top brass at the Fox show. You could even say it's fizzing over.

According to a source with close ties to the show, longtime rivals Coke and Pepsi are at war again -- but not about market share, rather over hitmaker Nicki Minaj. The rapper and singer, whose colorful, cartoon-like style has made her among the most successful new acts of the past three years, is at the top of the list for the open seat on season 12 of Idol. But as the new face of Pepsi, an endorsement deal that includes commercials along with touring and album promo, Idol sponsor Coke is none too thrilled at the prospect. The leading soda company has been an Idol partner since season one, at a cost of $26 million per year, according to reports. The show ran into a similar problem when longtime sponsor Ford got wind of judge Jennifer Lopez's commercial deal with Fiat.

If Fox and FremantleMedia execs have their way, this year's panel would consist of Nicki Minaj, previously announced judge Mariah Carey, a country star (the leading candidate is Keith Urban, says an insider) and a Latin artist (Enrique Iglesias is believed to be the No. 1 choice). In March, Minaj showed genuine empathy toward those who compete on Idol, telling THR special correspondent and Idol alum Didi Benami: "It's very difficult to be picked apart. That rejection thing is heavy."
source

"I would have voted for Rachel Crow when it was down to the wire instead of leaving it up to America's vote," Scherzinger said in a Q&A ahead of The X Factor's return to British screens this weekend.
Nicole Scherzinger has admitted that she would have chosen to save X Factor USA contestant Rachel Crow in hindsight.

The Pussycat Dolls singer reflected on her decision to send the elimination decision to deadlock during The X Factor USA's quarter-final, a move which eliminated the teenager and sparked controversy at the time.

Scherzinger, who replaces former Destiny's Child musician Kelly Rowland on the ITV1 show's judging panel, promised to "be myself, heart and soul and give 110%, like I always do".

"As an international artist and someone who has been in the music industry for a number of years I know what will sell in the US and across the world... I'll be helping the contestants and audiences to see what it truly takes to make it and bring out the best in them," she added.

Since appearing on The X Factor USA, 14-year-old Crow has gone on to sign a joint record contract with Syco and Columbia, in addition to a talent deal with Nickelodeon.

Crow also recently released her first single 'Mean Girls'.

The X Factor returns on Saturday, August 18 on ITV1 in the UK, while The X Factor USA's second season premieres on September 12 and 13 on Fox in the US.

source

Video won't embed so click the picture above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

It looks like Ryan Lochte and Joan Rivers got along swimmingly!

After all, what better way to describe it when the Olympic gold medalist slipped on his Speedo and joined the Fashion Police cohost for a dip in a fountain on Thursday morning. (Totally normal, right?)

"One last thing, Ryan, and then I'll leave you alone," Rivers said while partially submerged in water with her newfound friend. "Are you peeing?"

"Yes," revealed Lochte. "I've been waiting to this whole time."

"Me too!" Rivers exclaimed. "Oh God, it's getting warmer!"

Of course, this playful interaction is just a glimpse of all the fun we can expect to see when Lochte appears on Friday's Fashion Police at 10 p.m. on E!

We'll be, er, diving in for sure!

Source

Stream link here: Stream 1


This is the tune in post to watch Reezy's interview on Fashion Police.

Jessica Simpson has been working hard to lose the weight she gained during her pregnancy, and now she is getting ready to show off the results!

Simpson recently revealed to her 5 million + followers on Twitter that fans will soon be able to see just how well the former princess of pop turned fashion icon is doing, states Radar Online. "That's a wrap! Just finished shooting my first @WeightWatchers commercial! Stay tuned..." Simpson posted.

Simpson reportedly signed a $4 million deal with Weight Watchers. 

She gave birth to her first child in May and has been working ever since to drop the baby weight.

http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2012/08/17/jessica-simpson-gearing-up-to-show-off-weight-loss/
             

It's a love story ... and now, it's PHYSICAL -- with Taylor Swift and her 18-year-old boyfriend Conor Kennedy locking lips in a passionate kiss earlier today in Massachusetts.

22-year-old Taylor and Conor have been dating for the last few months -- but this makes it official ... because it's the first time they've been seen kissing in public.

FYI -- Conor is the son of Robert Kennedy Jr. and the late Mary Kennedy. He is also Patrick Schwarzenegger's second cousin.

Small world.











Source

Her sweet soul might be the sound of summer, but there were tears in the studio from the newest south London diva. Click here to listen to [Guardian's] exclusive stream of her debut album.

Adele, west Norwood. Florence, Camberwell. Lianne La Havas, Streatham. Katy B, Peckham. Ellie "La Roux" Jackson, Herne Hill. What is it about south London that breeds so many ballsy female singers? "I don't know, but it's quite cool, isn't it?" beams Jessie Ware, Brixton. "If you're from south London you feel like you're always trying to win people over, so perhaps that underdog passion comes through. It's like being AFC Wimbledon or something."

Jessie says she never intended or even hoped to become a pop singer. She rose to prominence by adding thick, sultry vocals to clubby dubstep tracks, and claims to prefer the camaraderie of the nightclub crowd to the lonely exposure of the stage. Yet now she's here, she says she wants to be a "private pop star, like Sade or Annie Lennox". She's a compelling performer, with the ability to switch between post-Adele belters, atmospheric neo-soul and classy, electronic pop with consummate ease.

In person, she's warm, garrulous and funny, constantly undercutting her every achievement with wicked, self-deprecating humour. Jessie attended a liberal-artsy private school, but on meeting her there's no hint of entitlement. Her feeling that she's somehow "snuck through" into the music world, like a fan who's managed to blag their way into the VIP compound, comes across as sincere.

Becoming a pop star certainly wasn't on the agenda when Jessie graduated in English Literature from Sussex University five years ago. The daughter of former Panorama reporter John Ware, she once harboured dreams of following in her father's footsteps and taking a postgrad journalism training course – incorporating work experience on the Mirror's sports desk – before ending up at the Jewish Chronicle. "I had to find Jewishy things to do for the listings pages, like if Matisyahu was in town," she recounts with a grin. "I thought it might be a good way in, although to be honest, journalism felt more intimidating and competitive than singing does. I'm very nosy, but I wasn't very good at writing."

Everyone knows that music journalists are failed musicians, so it's some consolation to encounter a pop singer who's a failed journalist. However, Jessie's life took a sharp left turn when her old schoolfriend Jack Peñate phoned her out of the blue to ask if she'd do backing vocals for him on a BBC session. After a couple of tours with Peñate and indie-rap duo Man Like Me, Jessie was introduced to Jack's XL labelmate Aaron Jerome, aka SBTRKT, who asked her to collaborate on a track called Nervous, the title accurately reflecting Jessie's trepidation about the whole affair. "It was my first session and I was terrified. The track was so apt."

Nevertheless, her ability to ride SBTRKT's skittering beats earned Jessie a solo deal. And that's when the real panic set in. She describes a series of awkward encounters with label-endorsed songwriters that ended up "like therapy sessions".

"I didn't think anyone would give a shit about what I had to say because everyone had probably said it before, and more eloquently. I'd been getting on OK with this one guy, bonding over our love for Sade and Soul II Soul, and finally he was like, 'Right, well shall we just go the piano and jam?' And I went into the other room and burst into tears."

Jessie was all for retreating to a world of anonymous session singing until her manager met Dave Okumu from the Invisible at a barbecue and persuaded him to help out. "Dave is such a warm presence," enthuses Jessie. "When we first met, he could see I was nervous. He just gave me a big hug and told me, 'Songwriting's like shitting – you've just got to let it all out'."

Dave's liquid guitars provide a shimmering backdrop for Jessie's vocals throughout the record, creating a very modern, British, anxious take on soul music. For the clubbier numbers, Jessie approached Bristol house prodigy Matt Walker AKA Julio Bashmore – although once again, the first session was awkward.

"Writing a pop song was a new thing for both of us, and I started to feel really self-conscious and out of my depth." To break the tension, the pair started flicking through a hip-hop magazine, alighting on a striking image of heavyweight rapper Big Pun in a yellow PVC suit, sitting on a throne. "I decided, 'Right, I'm going to write a song about a girl trying to get him off his throne and dance'." Her gorgeously restrained summer smash 110% was the result, and Jessie was thrilled when Big Pun's estate gave them permission to use a sample of the late rapper reciting the line "carving my initials on your forehead" throughout the track.

Finally, keen not to be pigeonholed as a club diva, Jessie was paired with former new folk-er Kid Harpoon to write a clutch of stirring, Heart FM-friendly ballads to complete the album. "He was the one who was like, 'Forget the minimal electronic stuff, let's make some fucking big pop tunes!' He wanted to bring out the Alicia Keys in me."

Jessie reckons that the proudest moment of her career was hearing current single Wildest Moments – one of those Alicia Keys efforts – accompanying a montage of highlights from Andy Murray's dramatic third-round win at Wimbledon. She's not afraid to admit that that the country's need for a stirring anthem during Britain's Summer Of Sport™ has been on her mind. "Why do you think I wrote a song called Running in Olympic year?" she cackles.

Yet anyone delving for turmoil and trauma behind the lyrics may be disappointed. "I'm not a complicated person," shrugs Jessie. "I feel what I sing, and I hope that's enough. I'm not going to become an alcoholic just for the cause of the music." She scans nervously around the room for any lurking record company spies. "I don't know if I should say this, but I feel more like a singer than an artist."

Jessie compares her faltering onstage schtick unfavourably with that of Florence – "she's so effortless and elegant and star-like, whereas I'm constantly worried I'm going to trip over and show my Spanx" – but brightens when reminded that Florence tends to be equally babbly and neurotic in interviews, and used to spend half of her sets rolling around on the floor. In any case, her performances in the videos to Running and 110% prove that there's a haughty diva in there somewhere.

"Yeah, I don't know what happens! I even shocked myself in the Running video when I started vogueing. It's meant to look fierce. I've had people basically say to me, 'Oh, you're not like you are in your videos – I thought you'd be more of a bitch!'"

Even if Jessie is ambivalent about the trappings of pop stardom, she figures that she may as well give it the full Cleopatra when the opportunity arises. "The way I think about those videos is that I may not get a chance to do another one, so I want to look really good. That way, when I'm fat and gross and working at my local school, I can look back and say, 'Scrubbed up well, Jess'."

Devotion is out on Monday on PMR Records

src

Bold and the Beautiful Boss Bradley Bell Reacts to the Sudden Exit of Ronn Moss!

Ronn Moss' decision to end his 25-year run as Ridge Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful — reportedly over salary issues — is quite the industry shocker! It also comes as a major disappointment to the guy's massive fan base.

What will B&B do without him? Will the role of Ridge be recast? TV Guide got the answers in this exclusive interview with executive producer-head writer Bradley Bell.

TV Guide: It's long been a point of pride that you've been able to hang on to B&B's original core four — Brooke, Stephanie, Eric and Ridge. So how big a blow is this? 

Bell: It's huge. And it came out of the blue. I only found out last Thursday [Aug. 9] about Ronn's decision not to renew. So I'm very sad but also very grateful for the 25 years we did have with him.

Ronn is a wonderful man and a great actor and he'll be sorely missed.

TV Guide: This came totally out of the blue? You had no inkling?

Bell: Well, I did have a plan in place because when it's contract time you have to be prepared. It's always possible things won't work out but I did not think Ronn's departure was probable. There was a point in the negotiations where I was not hearing back from him, so just in case I went ahead and wrote a wedding for Ridge and Brooke — a real retrospective sort of wedding that honors the characters' 25-year relationship — and then I have them take off on a honeymoon. I've been in this business long enough to know I have to protect my show. The worst thing happened but at least I was prepared.

TV Guide: What can you say about the money you were offering him? Was it a big cut?

Bell: I will just say that I'm very proud of the offer we made to Ronn, especially in this day and age of daytime television and what's going on in our industry. 

TV Guide: What are your plans for Ridge? Death? Presumed death? How does a guy disappear during his honeymoon without a damn good excuse?

Bell: Right now I can only tell you this: Ridge will not be dead or presumed dead. He will just not be in the picture. I don't want to do a presumed death because I don't want the story that follows to be all about Ridge. This will be a Brooke story. Ridge is a pivotal part of the show and he will be back in a matter of time...and probably not all that much time. I will continue writing for the character. I'm looking at this in two phases, really. There will be a period of time without Ridge, which is where some new, interesting avenues for Brooke will come into play. But at some point it will be necessary for Ridge to return to the show. Who will be playing the role at that point remains to be seen.

TV Guide Magazine: If the offer was fair, it seems like there's a piece missing here. 

Bell: Well, Ronn has an announcement to make and that will be interesting for everyone, including me. I don't know what he has in mind.

TV Guide Magazine: Should we expect more such departures when other B&B biggies hit contract time?

Bell: No. I think Ronn's circumstances are unique. What happened here will not be widespread.

TV Guide Magazine: When is Ronn off the show?

Bell: Tuesday, Aug. 14 is his last day with us at the studio and he will make his exit on air Friday, Sept. 14.

TV Guide Magazine: So for all we know it could be Mr. Moss if he changes his mind? He wouldn't be the first mega-soap star to quit and return in record time.

Bell: It could be Mr. Moss or it could be someone else.

TV Guide Magazine: If you recast, would you take advantage of the situation and cast a younger actor? Not that Ronn, at 60, doesn't put most 30-year-old soap heartthrobs to shame.

Bell: I might go a little younger but we'll be true to the age range that's been established. I do have people in mind in terms of a recast — some very interesting people.

TV Guide Magazine: So this is a good thing for KK Lang?

Bell: Once I got over the initial shock and disappointment of Ronn's decision, his departure almost immediately opened my mind to story ideas I would never have considered otherwise. What happens with Ridge will send Brooke down a new and exciting path. She and Ridge have been through so much over the 25 years of the show that I've felt an obligation to keep them happy and maintain them as a supercouple. But now that's coming to an abrupt ending and Brooke will have an important new man enter her life — the first important one since Nick [Jack Wagner]. This is going to be a full-on relationship.

TV Guide Magazine: Man, you move fast! And you're confident the reason for Ridge's exit will make sense?

Bell: Perhaps some people will say, "Ridge would never do that!" But word is out and the fans know I'm in a bind. Hopefully, they'll cut me a little dramatic license.

TV Guide Magazine: Let's backtrack to those negotiations. Was this purely financial? Ronn, like pretty much everyone else on B&B, has taken a back seat to the Liam-Steffy-Hope triangle. It's been your only plot all summer and every character, including Ridge, has been bizarrely, unheathily obsessed with those three kids. Was Ronn's nose out of joint about it? If so, can we blame him?

Bell: I do not think this situation was purely financial. Ronn is a musician and an artist who really wants to explore what makes Ronn Moss tick. I can see the allure of wanting to spend more time with his music, and to really hone himself as a musician. He's a good, decent, very spiritual guy and he felt the spirit calling him in a different direction. It's hard to negotiate against that. You'd have to ask Ronn about his feelings about the [Liam-Steffy-Hope] story. Liam has become the front-and-center male on B&B, a spot long held by Ridge. Was that a frustration for Ronn? I don't really know. I do know that it's my job to keep B&B going forward. It's my job to use this situation to enhance Brooke and Taylor [Hunter Tylo] and Bill [Don Diamont] and especially Rick [Jacob Young] who is going to make his move on Ridge's company. The show must go on and I'm psyched — not because Ronn is going away but psyched because of how the fall of 2012 is now looking for B&B. If there was ever a good time for something like this to happen, this is it.

Melissa Reeves shuts down her twitter account!

Nancy Lee Grahn comments on salary cuts!




Katherine Kelly Lang reacts to Ronn Moss leaving!




Ronn Moss on leaving B&B


I want to make sure, without any doubt, that you guys all know how much I love you. Your support during this time and hopefully beyond is everything. I can't say anything yet, but soon will explain. Hang in there with me, We have a wonderful new journey ahead of us.

Try and not be sad, angry, disappointed.. It's been a great run and all good things end eventually. As this door closes, others are opening.

I want you all to come with me through these new doors of opportunities and experience how cool it's going to be. Have faith, be strong, Know I'm eternally yours.



AMC alum Aiden Turner in Mercedes Benz commercial!




Baby No. 4 On The Way For PASSIONS Alum


Liza Huber (ex-Gwen, PASSIONS) is expecting her fourth child in January. "She always wanted four, ever since she was a little girl," reports Huber's proud mother, Susan Lucci (ex-Erica, ALL MY CHILDREN). "We're so thrilled." The new baby will join big brothers Royce, 5, Brendan, 4, and Hayden, 1.



Maurice Benard Talks 'General Hospital' and Sonny!


MSN TV caught up with Maurice Benard (Sonny) to talk about his controversial character, the Kate/Connie breakdown and the impending showdown with Joe Jr..

You've been playing mob boss Sonny Corinthos since 1993. Have you seen a change in him since executive producer Frank Valentini and headwriter Ron Carlivati took the reins at "General Hospital"?

I love the way they've affected him. They're writing Sonny as a man, as opposed to a mafia guy or a killer with a good heart. He's just a well-rounded man. And he's still badass - I went off, today! Sonny just thinks a little more, especially with the woman he loves. He tries. And they tell me during scenes, "Not so big. Be more supportive." Wow, they never told me this, before. It's changed. I'm into it and I think, as far as I can see on twitter, [the fans are] all into it. A year ago, the fans on twitter hated everything I was doing. They hated the show. It was like, "Why is this happening? This is stupid!" Now, it’s all positive.

Do you feel the difference onstage?

Well, the pacing [of shooting] is not good. Ugh! You've got to do it like that [snaps fingers]. That drives me nuts, but we do it. When you watch the show, because of Frank, it's fantastic. He knows how to edit, he knows lighting and it just moves. It's now more an ensemble than a one-man show. You would think I'd have a problem with that: I don't. As long as it's good, I'm good. If it wasn't good, I'd say, "Something's not working," but it seems to be working.

Frank is teasing big story for fall. What's coming for Sonny?

Sonny is going to propose to Kate [Friday, Aug. 10 and Monday, Aug. 13]. Oh, when you see the proposal! It was just amazing. It was more like real life conversational. Tears were popping out of her. It was like, "Wow. This is the way I want it."

I love that Sonny's more balanced, as opposed to three days of writing that and then he's killing somebody. I love that it hasn't been a lot of mob stuff. But there's some cool stuff coming up with Joe Jr., who raped Connie. I did some scenes with him today. Wow! I love that, because we have history. With Connie's breakdown, it's been a beautiful connect the dots, hasn't it?

When MSN TV talked to Kelli Sullivan a few months back, she promised the Kate/Connie split personality story would get intense and she really delivered. Fans aren't always welcoming to a recast, but after a performance like that, it's hard to slam her.

You put anybody with me, it's the kiss of death, from what I hear. (laughs) The only reason this didn't go that way is what she can do. What she did with that Connie thing was scary! I thought there was somebody else in font of me, at some points. She shut people up and thank goodness. You can say what you want about her, but you can't say she can't act! You'd be a little stupid. I'm very happy.

Do you feel threatened that someone else in Port Charles does crazy so well? That's always been your territory as Sonny.

Oh yeah, a little threatened! (laughs) I can do crazy well, but she pulled something out that I'd have to research a lot to do. I think I could become somebody else, but she actually did it! She's so humble. It's great.

Do you think Sonny and Kate can make it this time?

Yeah, I think they can, because they're both mentally ill. So they're just crazy together. I had a line to her about that, "I'm crazy: You're crazy. That's why we fit."

With Frank teasing big returns, is there anyone you'd like to see come back to town?

I'd like to see Ron Hale come back to play my father, Mike. Vanessa Marcil to come back for a triangle. That would be fantastic, Brenda, Kate and Sonny.

Was it hard to let Vanessa go again, after the last visit?

My last scenes with her were hard, because I knew it was my last. It was tough, but people move on. With Vanessa, it's all good, because she's going to do better things. People sometimes ask if I'd like her to come back: I love working with her! As long as it's in a triangle, and not, "All right, now she's back and let's just get married, but I don't love this or that." I don't dig that. Sonny loves deeply. If you're going to bring someone in for a triangle, you better make it fun for the three of us.

How have you felt about the "Mob Princess" reality TV storyline?

That's whatever that is. What I liked about it is it's [relevant]. That's what's going on these days. I've never done reality TV. I don't think it's my favorite thing, but you've got to do what's now.

Speaking of, we can't let you go without asking if you'd ever do "Dancing With the Stars"?

I can dance, but no. It's just way too much pressure. Live! I've been on that set and let me tell you, it's a mother!



Chicago-Sun Times mentions GAA's ratings woes!



TV TALK: First “The Revolution” bombed as the replacement for “One Life to Live,” and now the summer-only edition of “Good Afternoon America” is attracting an audience 70 percent smaller than the axed, long-running soap opera. While “GAA” is basically a place-holder for the much-anticipated launch of Katie Couric’s “Katie” chatfest on Sept. 10, you can bet the ABC honchos are hoping the veteran broadcaster will be a lot more successful.



John Aniston last to know about Jennifer's engagement!



Jennifer Aniston‘s engagement to Justin Theroux shocked most in Hollywood.

But none more so than her father, John Aniston, who only learned of the couple’s news when Celebuzz contacted him late Sunday.

The veteran Days of Our Lives actor, 79, was not aware that actor-screenwriter Theroux, 41, had proposed to his daughter on the North Carolina set of her new film, We’re the Millers, on August 10.

“It’s the first I’ve heard about it,” the stunned, yet thrilled, soap star said, in an exclusive interview.

“It’s a surprise to me. I’ll have to look online. When I find out more, I guess I’ll tell you!”

When it was explained that his daughter’s rep had confirmed the news to Celebuzz — and Thereoux’s rep released a statement, declaring he had “an amazing birthday on Friday, receiving an extraordinary gift when his girlfriend accepted his proposal of marriage” — Jon gushed, “It sounds very romantic.”

Previously, Jon has described Theroux as a “charming young man.”

“I think they make a wonderful couple,” he said in December 2011. “We get together whenever we can.”



'All My Children's' Alicia Minshew Nabs Lead in 'Desires of the Heart'!



All My Children star Alicia Minshew will play the lead in the film Desires of the Heart, which began production in Savannah, GA, on Monday.

The actress, who has been nominated for two Daytime Emmys for her role as Kendall Hart on the soap, will play Madeline, an artist who lives in Georgia and catches the eye of a psychiatrist (Val Lauren) visiting from India. However, as the duo begin to develop a relationship, the psychiatrist is sent home to India to marry a woman chosen for him by his parents.

From executive producer Solila Parida (Vishkanya), Desires of the Heart is directed by James Kicklighter (Followed, The Car Wash) and co-directed in India by Rajesh Rathi (Chase). The production will later move to India after filming in Georgia.
Minshew played Erica Kane’s (Susan Lucci) daughter, Kendall Hart, on All My Children from January 2002 through the broadcast series finale on September 23, 2011.

Val Lauren starred in the 2011 film, Sal, which was directed by James Franco. In the film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, Lauren plays Hollywood actor Sal Mineo, who became a 1950s teen idol with movies like James Dean vehicle Rebel Without A Cause.

Minshew is represented by Newman-Thomas Management. Lauren is represented by The Schiff Company.



New App For Classic B&B Episodes



If you're a fan of THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL and own a Roku set-top box that's connected to your TV, you're in luck! Because adRise has just released a B&B TV app, which showcases 75 of the soap's most memorable episodes. Three collections are also included: "Most Shocking Moments," "Catfights And Brawls," and "Best of Ridge, Brooke And Taylor." You just install the free app on your Roku set-top box, and then you can watch the episodes on your TV at no charge (but with some ads, naturally).

"Viewers have responded enthusiastically, saying they hope to see more," said adRise executive, Thomas Ahn Hicks. "Our initial data indicates there is a passionate viewing audience for THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. Viewers typically watch all of the episodes once they have viewed a few of them."

If you're not a Roku owner, don't worry. adRise will be releasing the app onto other services later this year, including internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, game consoles, iPads and Android tablets. So eventually, we'll all be able to get our fix of classic B&B action!



‘General Hospital’ Stars Say Show Has Never Been Better!



“General Hospital” is new, improved, and watching it just might make your teeth whiter and your hair shinier. That was the message that the entire cast was sending at a recent ABC party for the Television Critics Association. Kelly Monaco shared why she thinks Sam should be with both Jason (Steve Burton) and John (Michael Easton), while Jason Thompson discussed how his current storyline has stretched him as an actor. Jane Elliot and Tony Geary revealed which characters they’d like to see return. Keep reading to learn the answers to these burning questions and so much more.

Fans have noticed the difference in the show. How have things changed behind the scenes?

Monaco: There’s a support system that’s been missing in the past couple of years. It’s do or die for everyone, and everyone’s really doing their best.

Thompson: I think we’re taking it a little more seriously now. Obviously daytime television is in a little bit of a situation right now and over the past couple years. But I think us being her [at the TCAs] now, ABC sees that we’re ready to step up and produce a great show. It starts with the changes, with executive producer Frank [Valentini] coming over and I think a big part of it was the Emmys. I think we got a lot of recognition from all the nominations and all the wins. We’re all just doing everything we can. It’s a great place to work right now.

Sam has two hot men in her life right now. Do you have any preference for whether she ends up with John or Jason?

Monaco: No, I don’t have a preference. Maybe on Monday morning I want a little blonde, Tuesday I need a brunette. She is married, though. Her heart’s broken. She was betrayed.

You and Michael Easton had amazing chemistry when you were on “Port Charles.” A lot of times when actors reunite playing different roles, it’s not there for a second time. But for you, it is. What’s the secret?

Monaco: Trust, I think. That’s number one. That’s all it takes. He trusts me and I trust him. It’s really comfortable and we can just ease back into it.

Do you feel the difference in the show?

Geary: Yeah. I think it’s very exciting. There’s a lot going on. Many characters are involved, as opposed to the way it used to be small groups. It’s more of a community and I think there’s a lot of exciting stuff coming up.

Elliot: I think its taken a while for [headwriter] Ron Carlivati to get to know the characters and see the momentum building. The longer he’s with us, the more he gets to know us, the richer the work gets. So that’s exciting for all of us.

The show has a whole new energy. Yet, the previous regime won every Daytime Emmy ten times over. Why was it time to make a change?

Geary: Apparently the network felt it was. And the show has new blood and new excitement and a kind of different slant now.

Elliot: There’s an old expression: a new broom sleeps clean and sometimes it’s just time for a change. Not better, not worse, just different.

Why should former fans of the show start watching again now?

Geary: The show has got new life and if they liked it at any point in their lives they ought to check it out because chances are they’re going to be re-excited.



Brooklyn Nets GM Mikhail Prokhorov loves Y&R!



I’ve heard that you watch “The Young and the Restless.” So catch me up. What’s been happening lately in Genoa City?
Oh, man, let’s see. Phyllis is going to jail for an attempted murder from about eight, nine years ago that she’s being prosecuted for now.

How did you develop such an unlikely habit?
I was a junior in college, and I finished class at 11. One day I started watching, and I was hooked.



OLTL Star Lands First Feature Film!!



ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Nic Robuck (James) has an exciting new gig lined up: he's starring in his first feature film, the independent crime drama/thriller A Dark Plan! "I play the lead character, Shane Dempsey, a sociopath who had a horrible upbringing. He will do anything for the love of others... even kill if he's desperate enough!" Robuck tells Soaps In Depth exclusively.

Sounds like a role that's very different than his job on daytime! "He's a bit like James in that they both had rough upbringings," Robuck concedes, "but Shane has much deeper, darker-rooted issues and isn't quite stable."

A Dark Plan will also feature some other faces familiar to daytime viewers: Michael Nouri (Caleb, ALL MY CHILDREN) and Nia Peeples (ex-Karen, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) are set to star alongside Robuck, as well as THE L WORD's Kelly Lynch. "I am so thrilled and grateful for this opportunity to play this character, to stay local and shoot in L.A. and to work with such an amazing cast." Robuck is also thrilled to be working with famed director Armand Mastroianni -- who gave Tom Hanks his first big break in the 1980 film He Knows You're Alone. "He's truly and actor's director. Our professional relationship is off to a great start."

While actors on a film set can often spend long hours waiting in their trailer for their next scene to be called, Robuck has a hunch that his time on A Dark Plan will be more along the lines of the fast-paced soap set he's accustomed to. "I won't be sitting around much waiting to shoot; I am in most every scene of this movie and work every single shoot day," he says, adding that he is not one bit overwhelmed by the heavy workload. "Thanks to Frank Valentini and my opportunity on OLTL, I am well-trained and can more than handle the shooting schedule," he reveals.

"I want to deliver the best performance possible. I want to do the character of Shane justice, be present and open to his experiences and do job well done for the rest of the cast. The rest," Robuck smiles, "is up to the Universe."



Jeff Branson is a Trophy Husband!



Watch the dramedy unfold between a woman and her Trophy Husband on their special night out. Starring Emmy Winning actor and superhunk Jeff Branson as the Trophy Husband.





James Scott's triathlon training!








Michelle Stafford takes a loss in Loz Feliz!



Actress Michelle Stafford, who stars on "The Young and the Restless," has sold her home in Los Feliz for $2.145 million.

The Daytime Emmy winner restored the 1933 Mediterranean revival estate and sold because she ready to move on to a new project.

The 4,533-square-foot house, designed by architect Horatio W. Bishop, features period details including leaded stained-glass windows and decoratively painted ceiling beams. The entry rotunda is replicated in the lower level guest suite and leads to a terrace. The master suite, one of four bedrooms, has a round walk-in closet. Five bathrooms feature custom tile work. There is a three-car garage.

Stafford, who turns 46 on Sept. 14, joined the soap opera in 1994.

Public records show she bought the property in 2007 for $2.525 million and listed it last year for $2.449 million.



DAYS Backtracks From Gay Storyline?!



We wonder if the GLAAD Awards have a "No Take-Backs" rule because we're sure they're side-eyeing Days Of Our Lives right now!

The soap had been giving us life over the past year with their beautifully crafted story following Will Horton's coming-out process.

Now the show's newly hired writers, Gary Tomlin and Chris Whitesell, are turning the whole story on its head and having Will have sex with a girl. Classy.

Will's portrayer, Chandler Massey, who won a Daytime Emmy award for his work in Will's gay storyline this year did his best to explain his character's actions, saying:

"Will is battling self-esteem issues. So when you get two people who have some sort of romantic history in a room together, and both are feeling insecure about themselves, they seek any comfort they can find."

We doubt most gay men (who've come out and accepted themselves as Will has this past year) would suddenly start chasing vagina just because they're feeling down.

Could the character simply be bisexual? Sure. But that's not the story that's been written for the past year, and new writers deciding to come on-board and play that card out of nowhere feels cheap.



Kevin Schmidt Out As Y&R's Noah!



Rumors have been flying over the past couple days that THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS would be recasting the role of Noah again, and now Kevin Schmidt himself has confirmed to Soaps In Depth that he is once again being replaced. (Noah was recast in 2010 with GOSSIP GIRL's Luke Kleintank before Schmidt was brought back to the role in 2011.)

"I was up in San Francisco at Outside Lands [Music And Arts Festival] when my manager got a call last Friday," Schmidt confides. "He didn't think that was the right time to let me know that Y&R was recasting again. That was the right call for sure! When I got back Monday, he let me know."

Unfortunately, the actor remains in the dark as to exactly why he was brought back to play Noah, and then replaced once again. "I was on hold to work next week, and then they just kind of dropped this bomb on me," he admits. "I was like, 'Okay, I'll roll with the punches. That's what I do.'"

Having worked so sporadically during this stint — his final episode would have been Jack's wedding — Schmidt has already been doing a lot outside of the soap. "I've got an animated film in production," he reports, "Cheaper By The Dozen 3 is coming up in the fall, I'm meeting with Steve Martin shortly. I'm developing an application for smart phones, a simple game for people to connect with each other... I'm always doing something!

"The best thing about Y&R is that it allowed me to keep my stuff polished while I went off and chased other endeavors," Schmidt continues. "I've made some great friends. As I move into my productions in the future, I have a whole alumni of talent to pull upon. I've had a flood of support from everybody on the show."

At this time, Y&R's production is on vacation for a week, so there has been no official word from the soap as to when the role of Noah will be recast, or with whom.



Jon Hensley returns to B&B!




Kristian Alfonso tweets photo of Greg Vaughan!






Wendy Moniz Moves Into ABC's 666 Park Avenue!


One Life to Live's Wendy Moniz has landed a multi-episode arc on the new ABC drama, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

Moniz (Guiding Light, Damages) will play Ingrid, the therapist of Drake resident Nona (Samantha Jade Logan). Despite Nona's resistance to dig deep in their sessions, Ingrid shows a genuine concern for her young patient and hopes that if Nona cannot trust her, perhaps she can open up to the trusting Jane (Taylor). She'll first appear in the Oct. 14 episode.



Al Rabin Dead at 76!


Director and producer Al Rabin passed away on August 14 at the age of 76.

He is best known for the 17 years he spent as a director and then, starting in 1980, executive producer at DAYS OF OUR LIVES (Rabin replaced Wes Kenney in that role). Rabin started at DAYS in 1975, took a 7-month sabbatical in 1989, and left for good in 1992. Rabin was nominated for nine Daytime Emmy Awards during his run at at the soap.

Rabin previously directed at GENERAL HOSPITAL. After DAYS, he was executive producer of 1994's VALLEY OF THE DOLLS.



AS THE WORLD TURNS DVD: "The Wedding of Bob & Kim"!


SoapClassics has released a brand new AS THE WORLD TURNS DVD, "The Wedding of Bob & Kim." This collection features 10 consecutive episodes from April 1985 leading up to Bob (Don Hastings) and Kim's (Kathryn Hays) wedding at the Oakdale Botanical Garden (which was really the Brooklyn Botanical Garden).

Among the Hughes family highlights in this collection: Nancy's (Helen Wagner) recent return from Arizona; Penny (Rosemary Prinz) and Don (Conard Fowkes) surprising Bob on the morning of the wedding; and the debut of Julianne Moore as Frannie.

But there are many other stories and characters featured including Craig's (Scott Bryce) relationship with Lucinda (Elizabeth Hubbard) and reunion with Sierra (Finn Carter); John (Larry Bryggman) and Lisa (Eileen Fulton) dealing with their ex's getting married; the younger set (featuring Marisa Tomei and Christian LeBlanc); and a very early appearance of Hal Munson (Benjamin Hendrickson).

Fans have been wanting to see a story play out over consecutive episodes and this new DVD set makes it easy to jump right into the story and follow along. Below is a list of the 10 episodes appearing on the DVD:

Episode 1
Title: Frannie Comes Home
Air Date: April 2, 1985
Summary: In this episode, future movie star Julianne Moore is introduced to the cast as Bob Hughes’ daughter, Frannie. Frannie comes home from college to attend the wedding. She shows up late one night, much later than expected, and is evasive about where she’s been. Future star Marisa Tomei also appears.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Hubbard, Scott Bryce, Marisa Tomei, Benjamin Hendrickson, Christian LeBlanc, Mark Pinter and Eileen Fulton.


Episode 2.
Title: Runaway Bridesmaid
Air Date: April 3, 1985
Summary: Kim and her bridesmaids are scheduled to go to a dress shop for the final fittings of their gowns, but Frannie mysteriously misses the appointment. Bob’s mother, Nancy, tries to find out what’s really going on.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Hubbard, Scott Bryce, Finn Carter, Marisa Tomei, Helen Wagner, Patricia Bruder and Colleen Zenk.


Episode 3.
Title: The Wedding Planner
Air Date: April 4, 1985
Summary: Bob’s ex-wife Lisa graciously offers to take charge of the wedding planning. Kim’s bitter ex-husband, John Dixon, is not nearly so helpful.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Larry Bryggman, Christian LeBlanc, Brian Bloom, Mary Linda Rapelye, Ross Kettle, Jacques Perreault, Mark Pinter and Eileen Fulton.


Episode 4.
Title: Dueling Lectures
Summary: Bob lectures Frannie about missing the bridesmaids’ appointment, and tells her she must either make a commitment to the wedding or not participate at all. This backfires when it causes Kim to lecture Bob about not being more understanding of his daughter.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Hubbard, Scott Bryce, Finn Carter, Marisa Tomei, Breck Jamison, Christian LeBlanc and Colleen Zenk.


Episode 5.
Title: An Unusual Plan.
Air Date: April 8, 1985
Summary: Tom and Margo, Bob’s son and daughter-in-law, come up with a novel idea for Bob’s bachelor party, but Kim’s estranged ex-husband John Dixon continues to cause trouble.
Principal Cast: Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Gregg Marx, Hillary B. Smith, Mark Pinter, Christian LeBlanc, Breck Jamison, Brian Bloom, Colleen Zenk and Larry Bryggman.


Episode 6.
Title: The Bachelor Party
Air date: April 9, 1985
Log: Bob’s bachelor party features an unconventional surprise.
Summary: Tom and Margo throw Bob a surprise bachelor party with a twist. All goes well until Kim’s ex-husband, John Dixon, springs an unpleasant surprise of his own. Meanwhile, Frannie is rubbing people the wrong way with her airs.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Julianne Moore, Eileen Fulton, Hillary B. Smith, Gregg Marx, Christian LeBlanc, Larry Bryggman, Patricia Bruder and Helen Wagner.


Episode 7.
Title: Special Gifts
Air Date: April 10, 1985
Summary:On the eve of their wedding Bob and Kim exchange gifts of special significance as tokens of their undying love.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Scott Bryce, Finn Carter, Frank Runyeon, Lindsay Frost, Mary Linda Rapelye and Scott DeFreitas.


Episode 8.
Title: Unexpected Guests
Air Date: April 11, 1985
Summary: Bob is pleasantly surprised on the morning of his wedding by the arrival of his older siblings, Don and Penny, who had previously said they would be unable to attend. Later, in a touching scene, Bob and ex-wife Lisa share a last reflective moment before the wedding.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Julianne Moore, Rosemary Prinz, Conard Fowkes, Eileen Fulton, Lindsay Frost, Christian LeBlanc and Helen Wagner.


Episode 9.
Title: The Ceremony
Air Date: April 12, 1985
Summary: Bob and Kim are married in a beautiful sunrise ceremony at the Oakdale Botanical Gardens. Their marriage will still be going strong 25 years later when the series ends in 2010.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Colleen Zenk, Hillary B. Smith, Lindsay Frost, Gregg Marx, Rosemary Prinz, Conard Fowkes, Eileen Fulton and Helen Wagner.


Episode 10.
Title: The Reception
Air Date: April 15, 1985
Summary: Bob’s ex-wife Lisa has carefully planned every detail of the lavish reception at Diana’s Yacht Club. Despite some last minute problems, including the presence of John Dixon, she is bound and determined to make it a success.
Principal Cast: Don Hastings, Kathryn Hays, Eileen Fulton, Larry Bryggman, Scott DeFreitas, Helen Wagner, Rosemary Prinz, Elizabeth Hubbard, Patricia Bruder and Henderson Forsythe.

Order your DVD new at SoapClassics.com. While you're there you can watch a free episode from April 16, 1985 (the day after this set ends).



HUSBANDS Season 2 Premiere!



Hit indie soaps HUSBANDS is back with its second season premiere today. In the episode titled "Appropriate is Not the Word," on the morning of their three week anniversary, Cheeks and Brady aren't awake for long before the trouble begins. Watch it below:





DAYS OF OUR LIVES Nationwide Fan Tour Kicks Off At Mohegan Sun Sept. 15!



The stars of DAYS OF OUR LIVES will meet fans face-to-face at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on September 15 for the first stop on the DAYS nationwide fan event tour. This will be the only east coast stop on the tour. The free-of-charge event for loyal DAYS viewers will offer fans the chance to meet and greet many of their favorite cast members during autograph signings, a Q&A session, raffles and much more. Fans will also be treated to a special sneak preview screening of an upcoming episode.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES stars scheduled to attend include Kristian Alfonso, Lauren Koslow, Suzanne Rogers, Shawn Christian, James Reynolds, Drake Hogestyn, Blake Berris and Camila Banus.

Below is a tentative schedule for the day:

1:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Q&A with the cast located in the shopping concourse

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

“Meet & Greet” with the cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES

(Kristian Alfonso, James Reynolds, Shawn Christian and Suzanne Rogers)

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

“Meet & Greet” with the cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES

(Lauren Koslow, Drake Hogestyn, Camila Banus and Blake Berris)



Will The Combination Of 'General Hospital' And 'Katie' Make ABC's Afternoons Hot Again?!



The questions are, can “Katie” draw a large female audience to ABC in mid-afternoon, and will the demographic and economic profile of that audience be satisfying enough to make the show a true success?

Interestingly, some of the strongest support for “Katie” could be the lead-in provided by “General Hospital,” the show ABC once hoped to kill off to make room for Couric, but that will now move ahead one hour to become its all-important lead-in. (The afternoon lineup that ABC hoped most of its stations would eventually have in place when it started making a royal mess of things was “The Chew,” “The Revolution” and “Katie.”) “GH” has some renewed traction right now, thanks largely to the talents of new executive producer Frank Valentini, who was skillfully making “One Life to Live” more entertaining and higher-rated than it had been in years when ABC decided to end it.

“General Hospital” has always been very popular with women, perhaps less so during the last decade when it became unrelentingly dark and misogynistic, but not to the extent that the damage cannot be undone, as Valentini is currently proving. So if the creative team at “GH” can effectively shift focus away from the male mobsters that have long dominated the show and onto the many adult women on its canvas, and tell stories centered on romance and family rather than madness and mob hits, it might just draw in more of the very viewers who are predisposed to stick around for Couric. (If younger “GH” viewers stick around as well, that’s even better.)



Walt Willey is Wild Bill Hickok!



About
Actor/Writer Walt Willey (All My Children's "Jackson Montgomery) stars as James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok in this dramatic/comedic one-man show!

Description
"Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok", written (with Howard Johnson) and performed by Walt Willey (All My CHildren's "Jackson Montgomery"). Set in the mining camp at Deadwood, we find James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok in the No. 10 Saloon, reflecting on his life as a farmer, trapper, teamster, guide, scout, spy, sheriff, marshal, gambler and actor - and the weight of a reputation - all the while moving toward his fate at the hands of Jack McCall.

"A gifted actor, Willey transforms himself into the lawman...delves into Hickok's fascinating past with obvious passion...knows the rhythms of the material intimately.

His storytelling skills…keep the audience entranced." - Chris Silk, Naples Daily News




Nelson Branco on Y&R’s 10,000th Episode!



Sources are telling Nelson Branco that the 10,000th episode of Y&R is “dreadful; unwatchable, even!”

He says his sources are saying MAB will spend her final 2 months “obsessed” with what was once TGVN & it will all be “at the expense of Sharon, Adam & Nikki.”

NB says the 10,000th episode milestone “is being described by many on the show as an embarrassing Victor Newman slurp-fest.”

The 10,000th episode airs in the US on September 27th.

NB has a lot more to say .. here are a couple of the spoilers he gives:

- Tucker & Sharon are about to get married.

- Victor shows up at his own funeral .. at which .. each character takes a turn in singing Victor’s praises.

- Sharon gets blamed for everything.

- The special episode ends with Victor and Nikki hugging and kissing. Nikki syas, "You’ve been on top for all these years — how much longer will you be?" Victor replies, "Ask me after another 10,000 years!"


Stefano is alive!



EJ wakes up to find himself being held captive by Ian. Ian then reveals that Stefano is alive and Stefano is EJ’s biological father. Joseph Mascolo previews, “It’s going to take time for Stefano and EJ to work through everything that has happened in the last few months.”

EJ overpowers Ian and gets away and goes to Sami. Bo and Hope find Stefano at the hideaway and rush him to the hospital. Kate is shocked and rushes to the hospital, but Stefano doesn’t want to see her. She barges into his room, but he has already left.

Roman gives Kate a letter that Stefano wrote to Chad. She wants to hear what is in the letter, so she delivers it in person. She considers Chad part of the family and doesn’t want to break family code by reading it. When Chad does read it to her, she finds out that Stefano has forsaken her.

Kate meets with Lucas and Billie and updates them on the situation. They think she is better off with Ian and Stefano out of her life. Lauren says, “But Kate cuts to the chase and says, ‘I’m still in love with Stefano.’ They’re pretty resistant to that idea, especially Lucas. Even though Billie may not be happy about it, she understands, where Kate is coming from.” Kate has lost love, her business, and Austin left again But, she is a survivor and is going to try and figure things out.



Crystal Chappell defends Melissa Reeves!



I reached out to our gay and married friends. Missy had called them in tears soon after the shit hit the fan. She told them how much she loved them and that the implication of that tweet was not what she intended. She said she saw half a tweet about Cluck Filet and thought she was supporting Free Speech. Nothing more. I thought...OK. Um....twitter fuck up? I've stepped into twitter convoys without really knowing what was being talked about and made a mess for myself unintentionally. Realizing after I stepped into it that I don’t at all support the person's words I stood up for. OK....it happens.

And then I asked our gay and married friends...well, why not just say that to the folks in twitter land? Was someone telling her not to? Is it work related? Ostrich in the sand syndrome? If I don’t see it, it doesn’t exist kind of thing? Blonde moment? The more time went by the more frustrated I and my friends became. It started to hurt. We all know Missy has very strong religious beliefs but the person we know and love....is NOT a bigot.

I reached out to Missy and she responded several days later. She's decided to not speak out and hope that the people who know her will trust that she didn’t intend to support an anti-gay corporation. I firmly believe she should speak...not only for the fans but for her friends. I read Greg Riikart's article in the Huffington Post. I thought it was eloquent and spot on...with the exception of calling Melissa Reeves a bully. Although, I understand where it came from. Sometimes being too quiet after creating a shit storm can make you look more guilty. So, Ill pray that she speaks so you can know that person who has a genuine love for all people regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation.

And I’ll stay the hell away from crap Cluck Filet!

XO
CC




In The Year 2004!



Jamie was rushed to the hospital. Greenlee approached Ethan about leaving town. JR told Babe and Bianca about Jamie. Aidan and Anita decided to be friends. Jonathan advised Ryan to wait to tell Greenlee his feelings. Babe suspected JR was lying. Jamie was expected to make a full recovery. JR continued to protest his innocence to Babe. Reggie attacked JR. Kendall and Ethan bonded. Tad and Krystal were falling in love. Babe asked David to analyze the orange juice JR had given her. The fundraiser got under way. Erica assured Bianca and Kendall she could handle being around alcohol. Babe visited Jamie. Babe told JR she was pregnant. Ethan confronted Kendall. Ryan told Ethan that Michael's body was buried at the landfill. Bianca talked to Ethan. Erica tried to get Kendall to stop going after Ryan and Greenlee. Kendall and Bobby spied on Greenlee and Ryan in an intimate moment. Zach caught Maria searching his office. Babe told Bianca why she was pretending to be pregnant.




Tom had Margo served with divorce papers. Emily and Chris shared another kiss. Parker sent Jack a "letter in a bottle." Ben learned that Doc had fathered Jessica's unborn child. Julia vowed to help Jack learn his true identity. Holden admitted to Lily that he and Molly had kissed. James convinced Rosanna that Cabot had died because of Paul. He later left town with the child.




Felicia revealed to Nick that she is suffering from colon cancer. Thomas told Hector all about Caitlin and Rick. Ridge lashed out at Rick for driving Thomas into Amber's arms. Amber tried to avoid Thomas, saying that it was for his own good. Hector accidentally struck Rick with his car.




Due to coverage of the Olympics, Days of our Lives did not air this week.




Faith escapes from the hospital and ends up telling Justus that she still loves him. Helena is trying to keep Nikolas and Emily apart and continue her attempt at brainwashing Nikolas into the person she wants him to be. Carly gains support from Sonny in her search for her biological father; Jason tries to talk her out of it. Jason and Courtney mourn the loss of their baby, in their own ways, on the anniversary of Courtney's miscarriage. Tracy continues trying to get the other members of her family disqualified from the contest for Lila's inheritance. After a bad experience in babysitting Morgan, Sam is convinced that she will not be a good mother. The teens are holding a séance and are convinced that one of them are going to die.




Dinah continued to haunt and torment Cassie, but found Jeffrey close behind prepared to turn her into the authorities. Joey still couldn't seem to catch on to Lizzie's tricks and gave Tammy the cold shoulder, again. Olivia and Bill's partnership was blossoming into a friendship. Harley gave Gus an ultimatum regarding their future. Harley joined forces with Bill and Olivia to take down Spaulding, but particularly Phillip who has become a cold, ruthless and unfeeling person and businessman. Reva and Josh said goodbye to Shayne, and then Reva in turn said goodbye to Josh who left on a business trip. Sandy questioned Reva's interest in bonding with her "other" son, while he continued to hide a big secret from everyone. Michelle kissed Tony in her excitement over their restaurant project then had a blowout with Danny when she learned that he was working with Ross to block the building permit. To curb Edmund's dislike and jealousy over Jeffrey's interest in Cassie, Cassie lied to Edmund and told him that Jeffrey was no longer working her stalker and identity theft case.




Tico offered Kevin help with his political career before he announced to Jessica he was going to throw a benefit for heart disease with Dorian as co-host. With Dorian's support, Adriana learned she was not pregnant. After an ultimatum, Paul told Natalie about the art heist and got her to agree to act as a decoy. Evangeline pretended to be interested in R.J. but he was suspicious. Moony eyed Daniel and Nora fought with a drunk Lindsay. Asa may have adverse possession of the mansion so Todd and Blair moved in to stake a claim to the land. Michael and Marcie continued to argue about Eric as the Love Center Full Monty benefit kicked off at Ultra Violet. Antonio was captured and blindfolded while looking for a missing Carlotta.




Due to coverage of the Olympics, Passions did not air this week




Brad takes Abby without telling Ashley. Michael shares dinner date with Lauren. Nikki tells Paul about her recurring thoughts. Lauren learns of Paul's intention to work with Christine and Michael. Phyllis feels inadequate as she tries to lay down ground rules for Daniel. Lorena Davis, a social worker, tells Dru that Devon will be sent to a group home where he will be treated with drugs, if necessary, unless she and Neil agree to take him in. Neil and Phyllis talk about teenagers and raging hormones. Neil discovers Lily and Devon holding hands. Neil asks Dru to speak with Lily about Devon. Brad returns with Abby. Brittany and JT co-write a song. Someone hired by Daniel slips something into Lily's orange juice at the opening of the Rec Center. Paul confirms to Chris that he will work with her and Michael.



PREVIEWS FOR NEXT WEEK!



Monday August 20:
EJ wakes up to find he's a prisoner.
Nicole is ready to declare her love when she's interrupted.
Melanie and Gabi are shocked to find Andrew is alive at the hospital.
Chad confronts Gabi, who finally confesses!
Chad decides to hide Gabi's dirty secret from Melanie.
"T" is back in town and blows up at Will for coming out.
Sonny finds Will after T's tongue lashing and comforts him.
Sonny leans in to kiss Will...

Tuesday August 21:
Will denies being into Sonny.
After speaking with Marlena, Will realizes he does have feelings for Sonny.
Sonny is found by Will in what looks like an intimate moment.

Wednesday August 22:
Will's hurt after seeing Sonny with Brian and again encounters T.
T gives Sonny a hard time for "turning" Will gay.
The memorial service for Jack is held today.
Gabi is devastated to be kicked out of Chad's apartment.
Gabi in Will are hitting rock bottom when they find each other and lose themselves in one another with a kiss...
Sonny is beaten by T.
Chad and Melanie find comfort in one another.

Thursday August 23:
Gabi and Will make love and after both feel it's awkward.
Will lashes out at Lucas.
Sami and EJ have been caught.
Justin finds Sonny, who refuses to ID his attacker.
Nicole wants more to be with Daniel than ever.

Friday August 24:
Maggie's anxious to tell Melanie that Nick Fallon is up for parole.
Julie is also anxious about Nick's parole hearing but she doesn't want Melanie to sink Nick's chances.
The news about Madison has Maggie and Victor tending to Brady.
Melanie is shocked at the end of the day to hear Nick might return to Salem!




Starr persuades Trey to tell her who his father really is on Monday August 20.

Kate and Sonny get romantic on Tuesday August 21.

Johnny is aggravated that Todd is still meddling in his affairs with Carly on Wednesday August 22.

Michael thinks Trey has kidnapped Kristina on Thursday August 23.

Olivia has two unsettling hallucinations on Friday August 25.




(The Shock)
8/20, Liam shows up at his wedding in shocking attire; Steffy tries to explain her actions to Taylor.

(Bill takes Action)
8/21, Bill puts a stop to Liam's embarrassing situation; Taylor and Steffy talk about Taylor's love triangle with her, Ridge and Brooke.

(Mockery)
8/22, Hope unleashes her anger on Steffy; Caroline wants to know about Thomas's past with Hope.

(Rick's Opinion)
8/23, Rick tries to suggest to Thomas that he should be with Hope; Brooke and Steffy have a heated confrontation.

(Rick's Plan)
8/24, Liam updates Steffy on the details of his wedding luncheon; Rick formulates a plan to keep Hope and Liam apart.




Phyllis and Kevin scramble to hide evidence after Dr. Tim's sudden death

Tucker enlists Genevieve's help in a secret search for Victor

A down and out Victor is helped by a nun

Sharon challenges Nick and Victoria's authority as she tries to consolidate her power at Newman Enterprises

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

click on pic to watch the video, won't let me embed:



With Kristen Stewart ducking out of the London premiere of 'On The Road' it was left to Robert Pattinson's best friend Tom Sturridge, who co-stars in the movie with the actress to answer questions over the status of their relationship.

The 22 year-old, who is said to be close to Sturridge as well was caught kissing married director Rupert Sanders in Los Angeles last month. Since the scandal she has not been seen, but did issue a grovelling apology for her actions calling the fling a “momentary indiscretion” while proclaiming her love for boyfriend Rob.

The 'Twilight' hunk's friends are reportedly urging him to break up with the actress and judging from Tom's reaction to the mention of her name it seems the subject of Kristen is something he isn't happy about.

Speaking to Entertainmentwise at the premiere in London last night Tom couldn't hide his disdain, visibly flinched and looking uncomfortable when asked about his co-star and seemed awkward when asked if it was nice to “work with a friend” on the movie.

Avoiding mentioning the actress' name and with lots of umms and ahhs, Tom replied: “I mean the amazing thing about this film was the cast in general.”

“It was great being part of such a unique group of people.”

That's not exactly what we asked Tom, but we'll take it you're not happy being referred to as a “friend” of K Stews?

The actor didn't mince his words over the scandal later on the red carpet and snapped at a journalist who asked him about the cheating revelations.

“I don't talk about my friends behind their back,” he snapped according to The Mirror.

It's good news that Tom values honesty and loyalty, but probably not for Kristen who clearly doesn't.

SOURCE

source

I cried more at the end of this episode than I did in the previous one. Also, YES! Luke/Gail had scenes together!!!!!

No idea why.














Source.

Shia's history of being whack is long. I remember: him yelling at Carey Mulligan and trying to get with other girls at An Education's premiere, rumors he used to get into physical fights with his ex, that thing where he told everyone he fucked Megan Fox, the time he got arrested for being a mess at a Walmart, that thing where he drunk drove and almost died, the way he is rude as hell to fans, everything he's ever said... did I miss anything?

Source

Miranda Kerr really Has It All: a hunky husband, the cutest baby ever and a ever-blossoming international modeling career.

If you need more proof, the New York Times Style magazine had put together a melange of everything perfect about the Victoria's Secret model in a new profile written from the new across-the-Pacific home of Kerr, 29, husband Orlando Bloom and their one-year-old son, Flynn.

The couple has been keeping house in Wellington, New Zealand, where they can enjoy some family time far aways from the omnipresent Klieg lights of the paparazzi (and you know, nude photo leaks). Kerr says that a typical morning for the fam includes Orlando making breakfast (um, SWOON), Kerr cooking dinner and plenty of "impromptu family dance parties." Kerr also takes baby Flynn to the beach, where he loves to play in the sand.

Kerr also reports that the fam picked New Zealand because they can hang out relatively unnoticed, far from the hounding paparazzi that plague their residences in the U.S.

Sources: 1 and 2
I actually really like her now. She is my fave model. :)

click them for the readable full size





Deluxe edition
Carry Me Home
Flesh And Bone (Jacques Lu Cont Remix)
Prize Fighter

sources

Thanks to our new rubbable GIF technology, the Great Dream of the Internet Cat Era can be (sort of) realized.

Dear Maru,

I've been waiting for this moment all my life...

Go To Website To Try Out Rubbable Gifs 

Cat post!!!!!!!!!!


sorry the link wasn't showing up

Problem drinker and confirmed weirdo Shia LaBeouf told Page Six he fell off the wagon in order to better fulfill his role as a Prohibition-era bootlegger in Lawless.

“I did it for the movie. I didn’t drink off set for no reason. I did it because, when I showed up on set the next day, my [bleep]ing eyes looked like this and my face... had that drunk bloat that I needed, that I couldn’t have if that wasn’t going on.”

Sounds like someones trying to get Daniel Day-Lewis's attention. Instead, LaBeouf's method drunkenness apparently freaked out his co-star, 22-year-old Mia Wasikowska.

“I protest the conviction and sentencing of Pussy Riot to a penal colony for two years for a 40 second performance extolling their political opinions. Even if one disagrees with the location or how they chose to express themselves, the sentence is too harsh and in fact is inhumane. I call on all those who love freedom to condemn this unjust punishment. I urge artists around the world to speak up in protest against this travesty. They’ve spent enough time in jail. I call on ALL of Russia to let Pussy Riot go free.”

Madonna Sued: Russian Anti-Gay Groups Sue Pop Star For Over $10 Million

Anti-gay groups in Russia have sued Madonna for more than $10 million for "moral damage suffered by St. Petersburg residents" during a recent concert in the city, according to Reuters and a report from Ria Novosti, Russia's state news agency.

Alexander Pochuyev, a lawyer representing one of the suing parties, told Ria Novosti that attendees of the concert and those who have seen videos of her performance have suffered "psychological stress and emotional shock" because of her "promotion of homosexuality." Pochuyev also said that the pop star "trampled down" an Orthodox cross.

According to Human Rights Watch, the parliament of St. Petersburg earlier this year passed a law that bans “propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism, and pedophilia to minors.”

In March, Madonna called the law a "ridiculous atrocity" and said on her Facebook page that she'd speak about it during her upcoming show.



During her August 9 concert, the singer, who turned 54 last week, told the audience that she was "here to say that the gay community and gay people here and all around the world have the same rights to be treated with dignity, with respect, with tolerance, with compassion, with love," according to a video posted on her YouTube account.

As she was speaking, members of the audience held up pieces of paper depicting rainbow flags with the words "NO FEAR" written across them.

She also asked members of the 25,000 person crowd to hold up their arms "to show your love and appreciation of the gay community."

"Maybe someone does not see the link but after Madonna's concert maybe some boy becomes gay, some girl becomes lesbian, fewer children are born as a result and this big country cannot defend its borders - for me it causes moral suffering," Alexei Kolotkov, one of the people who filed the suit, said, according to Reuters.

The gay community in Russia has suffered a series of setbacks recently. Moscow, Russia's capital and largest city, last week banned gay pride parades for 100 years.

This is not Madonna's first brush with controversy during her international tour, dubbed MDNA. The singer sparked outrage last month at a concert in Paris when she showed a video depicting the leader of the far-right National Front party with a swastika on her forehead.


xx xx

According to Kreayshawn, who is getting ready to drop her debutSomething 'Bout Kreay next month, Banks actually reached out a few months ago to say sorry.

"We had some shows in Japan together and we had a chance to watch each other perform," Kreay told MTV News. "I've always been a fan, and she hit me up and said, 'I really like your live show.' That was back in April, but no one even noticed that."

The two crossed paths again at another show and really put their differences behind them.

"I went to her Mermaid Ball show in LA because a lot of my homegirls were performing," Kreayshawn said. "She ended up hitting me up a couple of weeks after and said, 'I really wanna publicly apologize,' and I [thought that was] really dope."

"I think it's cool because there's so many girls looking up to everyone that all the beef tears our fans apart," the rapper continued. People feel like, 'I have to be this person's fan and hate on this person.' So I think it shows that you can forgive people, you can apologize to people, you can realize you're wrong and it shows camaraderie for all girls. It's for girl power."

Something 'Bout Kreay is due on September 18, lead by the single "Go Hard (La La La)." Stay turned to MTV News for more from our interview with Kreayshawn.



I wonder how long this will last. I think they both can benefit from being exposed to eachother's fans. Kreayshawn a lot more than Azealia. I also like Kreayshawn a lot more when she speaks like a white girl.

Source


Source

**click above for bigger size**

Former Bachelorette Trista Sutter reveals exclusively to Life & Style her post-plastic surgery body -- after going under the knife just three months before turning 40 to 'feel pretty again'

"After nursing both my kids for a year each, my boobs were deflated," mom of two Trista Sutter, 39, reveals exclusively in the new issue of Life & Style. "And I had a droopy eye. It was something that I noticed in every picture I've ever taken."

After visits with her doctor, Dr. Franklin Rose, in Houston, she decided to move forward with getting plastic surgery on her eyes and breasts -- a blepharoplasty to lift her eyelids and remove the bags under her eyes, and breast augmentation with an internal lift that increased her cup size from a small B to a full C -- all in one day.

"I realized that the surgery was something I had to do for myself, just for my own self-confidence and to feel good again about being in bathing suits and being intimate with my husband," Trista, who fell in love with her husband, Ryan, on The Bachelorette, in 2003.

"He wanted me to be happy, so he said, 'Whatever you need to make yourself happy, go for it,'" she says with a smile.

"I wanted to feel pretty again -- and I do!"

Life&Style

what surgeries would y'all get? me: breast lift, lips plumped, micro-facelift, fillers, nose-job, and vaginoplasty.

Following up The Amazing Spider-Man, actress Emma Stone has been cast by director Cameron Crowe for a role in a romantic comedy he's written, Deep Tiki, according to Variety.

Originally, the project was expected to star Reese Witherspoon and Ben Stiller and follow 2005's Elizabethtown, but scheduling conflicts caused delays, according to Collider.com.


There was a long break in production before Crowe's last film, We Bought a Zoo, starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, released last December.

The idea for Deep Tiki has been rewritten by Crowe and could change from the previous version, which centered on a former military weapons consultant sent to Hawaii to supervise the launch of a spy satellite where he discovers himself among the mythical island lore. Production is planned for the spring.

Stone will costar in Gangster Squad with Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling in January. The film about Los Angeles police and the Mafia was scheduled for release this fall but was postponed until 2013 to edit and reshoot a scene depicting a shootout in a movie theater.

Also, Stone appears in Movie 43, an ensemble comedy of intertwining tales by various directors including actress Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games) and costarring Richard Gere.

RC

Why Emma? Did you not see Elizabethtown?


Source